Most will never understand the hard work, sacrifices, risks, and stress that comes with building a successful business of 28 units from the ground up.

This plays into your relationship with the contractor - and I can tell you first hand that most investors don't want to sacrifice any of them.

Just like any business, the reward is big but STR requires a lot of dedication and self sacrifice. 

I'm willing to sacrifice the money if it means stability for my kids.

It's up to you to decide what "Hard" you are going to choose. yes I definitely see that I'm going to have to make some difficult decisions, just not sure what I'm willing to sacrifice.

It was a sacrifice that paid off because him and his wife are The Millionaire Next Door (literally). 

The cages for the sacrifices?

And you are making a huge sacrifice on equity if you trim your strategy this way.If you are looking for cash flow, you need to buy or start a business.

it's a nice, expensive place to live but tougher to house hack unless you buy a big house and rent out individual rooms.)also, as @Jonathan Greene alluded to, the more you're willing to sacrifice, the better it will work. 

You 2 bullet points on sacrifice sums up what a REI must do in order to achieve success.